Mister Bally

Recall the vendor ( a sponsor here) claimed their parts were OEM quality. They also rented the tools when you bought their parts. I figured for $590.00 it was a great deal. Boy, did I learn a lesson. So, next go around was OEM from a dealer. Everything has a VW-Audi logo. More like $800.00 this time for the parts. Then I had to buy the special tools for another $400.00 but again, well worth it.

Still cheaper than paying a dealer to do the job. Alas, it depends on how much I value my time at. Especially my free time.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

Sometimes manufacturers or sellers rate their parts OEM, but the term may be defined very loosely. Truly, I trust American auto parts makers, they're good. These foreign names may not be as well made or quality controlled tightly. parts per millions... you got one of the bad one, the one that were made when they had too much WINE.

Cheers,

Louis

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

Here we go

Cheers,

Louis

MP4.2+6.0

Congratulations on doing it. You mentioned in video maybe the old ones were okay. In my experience, the bushings weren't. You could see the arms move very easily at the bushing connection before you removed them--more than they should. Later you commented the new ones were much stiffer once you had them in and the bolt tight; the difference in feel is the bushing wear and tear.

If you still have the old ones, stick a big Phillips screwdriver into the bushing center hole and use it to flex the bushing relative to the control arm. I expect you will see a bunch of pretty deep cracking that is a lot more evident when you have it out of the car. See my pictures at replies 19-22 of this thread: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-.../#post24620404 The ones pulled in those pictures I posted already had the bushings replaced once before by the dealer while still under warranty.

You are getting it aligned, correct?

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

Does the A8 need a special alignment center? Can I just go to any tire store to get one on the weekend?
Yes, the bushings are weak on both sides, deep cracks, not completely torn but I think vibrations do come from these.

Cheers,

Louis

MP4.2+6.0

Since you probably don't have adaptive cruise, easy call to use any competent shop. Even with adaptive cruise I have had no issues just using my indy tire and wheel shop in SJ with a standard modern alignment rack. They will normally do a four wheel alignment these days, more so w/ quattro. Definitely get one. I have been surprised that often the back is out yet with no work related changes or known big hits or any bent wheels or some such.

Give your sway bar and especially end links a good look too. They don't affect alignment, but if you have any remaining perceived issues or noises, those are what I would look at next.

dvs_dave

Had my front upper control arm bushings and roll bar links done a couple weeks back by my Indy. He used Lemforder parts (aka ZF) so no quality concerns. So far so good, and a reasonable price too.

Alignment wise the only regular adjustment up front is toe angle. Anything else has to be done by moving the subframe which is unlikely to be out unless it was removed at some point or has taken a big hit. Rear has a couple more regular adjustments though. Toe, camber etc.

mishar

Unfortunately that says all about A8's control arms.

dvs_dave

I expect another 40k miles out of them. And on Chicago roads that's good going. That's what the set I just replaced managed according to its service records, and they were only just starting to go.

I know we moan about them and why can't Audi fix them, blah blah blah. But they're not particularly difficult or expensive to fix. I'd rather these get sacrificed to wear out sooner rather than some other more expensive components which is what would happen if the upper bushings were more durable. This is because the other suspension components would then be subjected to greater loads.

I don't for a second think that Audi can't figure out a more durable design. I think it's intentional and it's no coincidence that it still affects the D4 and other newer Audi models with the same general suspension design. Sure they could put tougher more durable bushings in that last 100k miles, but then we'd all be up in arms about cracked suspension pickup points ala BMW M3, or some other much more serious to fix issue.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

it's been a year, and everything on my CA are still intact.

Cheers,

Louis